Monkey and Me

Everyone calls nine-year-old Jez, Beanie, because he always wears a beanie hat to cover the fact that he is bald due to treatment for leukaemia. However, Beanie just gets on with life, and the most important thing to him is being accepted as part of his older brother Mark's gang. When Beanie accidently gets left behind in Black Gate, an old mansion house, he discovers he is not alone. Beanie makes friends with Malcolm, a runaway chimpanzee. Through Malcolm, Beanie discovers the importance of friendship and of caring for someone. But then some men come asking questions about Malcolm, and Beanie realises that he will do anything to keep Malcolm safe.

Monkey and Me is a fun and thoroughly enjoyable story, primarily aimed at boys, but also appealing to girls. It is a story about being different, but also about the importance of friendship and the impact that illness can have on a family. Beanie's world view is hilarious and pinpoint accurate, and his discovery of and friendship with Malcolm is totally believable. It is a book that is not only hard to put down but one that will also make the reader laugh out loud. Monkey and Me is a fantastic read that will have both boys and girls totally engrossed.